Posts by theo@aacs.org.au

Cumberland Farms has agreed to acquire Canonsburg, Pennsylvania-based convenience-store chain Coen Markets. The deal includes Coen Markets’ 54 sites in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, plus three new-to-industry stores under development, Cumberland Farms said Thursday in a news release. The transaction, which is expected to close this year pending regulatory approvals, reflects Cumberland Farms’ strategy to accelerate its growth through targeted, value-driven and complementary investments. Westborough, Massachusetts-based Cumberland Farms said it expects to unlock “meaningful value creation” by combining Coen Markets’ established foodservice offering and regional network with Cumberland Farms’ existing U.S. operations. “This acquisition is a clear expression of our commitment to disciplined growth in the U.S.—our largest market by both sites and revenue,” said Russ Colaco, CEO of Cumberland Farms. “Charlie and Andy McIlvaine have built an exceptional business defined by well-invested sites and an exceptional customer experience anchored by their foodservice offering. We are excited to welcome…

Australia Post has become the chief courier service for illicit tobacco, with payments provided by a raft of companies including PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Klarna, Stripe, Link, and CBA and ANZ BSBs. Australia Post chief executive Paul Graham said in response to a question about the service being ‘a very big courier of illicit tobacco’ that “I won’t challenge your assertion that we are involved in that movement.” By Michael Sainsbury, Senior Business Correspondent Illicit tobacco and vaping products in Australia are increasingly being marketed and purchased via online payments platforms, as law enforcement agencies across the country intensify crackdowns on physical stores and wholesale distributors. Australia Post is providing the delivery service for the illegal trade that has punched a $78.5 billion hole in the budget since 2020-2021. PayDay News understands that customers for illicit tobacco had been picking up parcels at businesses registered as Australia Post agents – including…

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman On 11 March, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is marking 10 years of advocating for small and family businesses, reflecting a decade of practical support, dispute resolution and advocating for fairer rules that allow small and family businesses to start, grow and succeed. Established under the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Act 2015, ASBFEO was created to do something simple but vital: level the playing field. The Ombudsman said ASBFEO has matured and is a respected organisation, widely recognised by the small and family business community, industry bodies, regulators, major corporates, Parliamentary committees and government. “It has been 10 years since Australia made a deliberate choice – to give small and family businesses a strong, independent voice, and practical support when the odds are stacked against them. “Most importantly, it is known by small and family business…

The joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran could drive up gas prices and broad-based inflation around the world, according to several reports. Any significant price increases, however, depend on how the conflict impacts the supply of oil from the region and how long it lasts. Oil prices rose sharply on Monday, following previous increases in response to the recent U.S. military build-up around Iran. The Brent Crude Oil index was up about 8% to start the week, to a little over $78 a barrel, according to data from Trading Economics. That compared to an average price of $69 per barrel in 2025. The price of oil can be a key driver of inflation because it is the foundation for much of the economy. The oil-price increase was blamed for stock market declines on Monday, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ Composite indices were all down…

AI is advancing fast. According to market research company Datassential, 63% of Americans use AI regularly, with higher usage among younger generations. One area where AI can enhance c-store operations is in the kitchen. Chefs across the foodservice industry are using AI for menu development, new recipe ideation and cuisine research and inspiration. While it’s a major opportunity, introducing AI creates some tension for foodservice professionals, who are evaluating how AI can help while struggling to preserve culinary creativity, authenticity and human touches. “We expect the most successful brands, including c-stores, to use AI as an enhancer of craft, not a replacement for it,” said Samantha Des Jardins. For many brands, the first step toward an AI menu is using generative tools for inspiration and refinement—not automation. AI Menus Are Gaining Traction Datassential is seeing early but meaningful adoption of AI for menu and recipe development across foodservice, particularly among…

EG Group recently released its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025. For the full year 2025, the company reported EBITDA of $942 million, representing a 1% year-over-year decline compared to the full year 2024. For the fourth quarter of 2025, the company reported: EBITDA of $232 million. Gross profit of $899 million. Fuel remained the largest contributor to gross profit in the period at $462 million, reflecting “continued outperformance and margin expansion in the United States.” Foodservice gross profit of $85 million, supported by “continued momentum in UK Starbucks operations.” EG Group also said: “Progress with organic growth initiatives in the US continued with Krispy Krunchy Chicken store openings, further store rebranding completed and SmartRewards program membership surpassing 4.7 million.” The company said it is focusing on key growth markets in the United States and Europe, after it completed the divestment of Italy…